The next morning dawned cool and bright. After a quick breakfast of dried meat and berries the men were back at the trap. One by one they set up the logs and bound them with heavy twine twisted by Asaawe’s noko and mother. Between the logs they left enough space to jab a spear through. The one, who stabbed the bear’s heart, would receive the spirit of the bear. Ajijaak desperately wanted to be the one. Though he was from the Crane clan, he longed to be a bear. He could not change his clan, but if he could kill a bear, his first bear, at least the spirit of the bear would enter him, and then, he would dream. He just knew he would dream. Asaawe began to sing the song to the bear. His cousin’s voice was deep and throaty but had an uncommon sweetness. Would the bear hear, would the bear come? Yes! It had to be yes!

After the deadfall trap was tied together, Uncle Ogaa rigged the trap door with three branches balanced and notched in the shape of a lopsided triangle. From a birch bark pot Asaawe smeared honey on a log and set it carefully on the branch that would snap. When the bear reached for the honey he would trip the branch and the door would close. Ajijaak looked around him. The deep shadows of the trees hid many creatures. Was the bear among them? Did bear see the men? Ajijaak prayed not.

After testing the trap, the men re-rigged it and returned to camp. The smell of frying fish came to them. Who was at the camp? Ajijaak’s first thought was Ziibi. Surely the little girl had not followed him on a bear hunt. It was not Ziibi who greeted them but their friend Azhe’o. He smiled and asked, “Hungry?”

“Yes,” said, Uncle Ogaa.

“I have prepared plenty.” He had indeed, sizzling in bear grease were four large perch and two catfish. They rested in a green birch bark platter over the fire. With a forked twig, he turned the fish. They were golden brown, sweetened with maple sugar and chopped wild onions. Ajijaak had not realized how hungry he was.

No one asked why Azhe’o had come. They knew. He did not like the hard work of trap building, but he was a skilled spearman. He could throw straight and hard. He never missed his mark. He wanted to be the one who killed the bear. Dismay filled Ajijaak. He wanted Azhe’o to go home. Ajijaak glanced at his cousin Asaawe. His look told his displeasure too. Asaawe had not yet killed his first bear either.

Uncle Ogaa said, “I hear tell you will soon be leaving our village.”

“Yes, you have heard right.” A huge smile split Azhe’o face as he placed the fried fish on the bark platters.

“Why?” asked Asaawe.

“For the love of a woman. In the Loon clan a fair girl has caught my eye. If she is agreeable to me, I will go to live in her mother’s house.” It was their custom for the newly partnered to remain in the girl’s mother’s house until the young couple could afford to live on their own.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Asaawe said, “Tell us what she looks like.”

It had grown dark. All around them the night creatures were waking and the day creatures were settling in for the night. Azhe’o stretched out his lean body. He sighed contentedly and said, “She is kind and pleasing to look at. She thinks that I am handsome.”

“Is she blind?” Asaawe hooted.

Angrily, Azhe’o said, “Be quiet if you want to hear more.” He began to describe the girl. Ajijaak did not hear him. In his mind he saw Miinan. He saw her smile, he heard her voice, and he could almost conjure her presence.

*

The low rumble of an angry bear woke them from sleep. It was not yet light, but the sky was purple with dawn. Each man grabbed his spear. Ajijaak grabbed his bow and arrows as well. Azhe’o said, “You will not need those.”

Maybe not, but he wanted to be prepared for anything. As they ran through the trees the birds were beginning to awake. They filled the air with their raucous cries. The great bear was thrashing angrily against the trap. He was in a fury. When they reached the trap, the bear was swinging from side to side, thrusting his great black shoulders against the logs. He wanted out, and he wanted out now. He jaws bit at the trap door. His big teeth gleamed in the filtered light. Azhe’o reached the trap first. He did not hesitate he thrust his spear between the slats. It was not a good strike. It nicked the bear, but did not penetrate him. The bear gave an angry jerk to the right, all the sudden the twine holding the door broke. The bear had shredded it with his teeth or his claws. He smashed his claws against the door it fell open. Furious the bear went straight for Azhe’o. Unless threatened bears did not attack people. This bear lunged forward. Azhe’o scrambled up the nearest tree. Asaawe ran toward the bear and thrust his spear at the bear. The bear swung round at the moment it would have made contact. The spear whizzed by striking nothing but dirt. Ajijaak could see the gleaming eyes of the bear. He could feel the creature’s rage. This bear did not want to die this day; He did not want to offer his life to sustain theirs. The choice was not his though. Ajijaak flung down his spear, and fitted his bow with his toughest arrow. It had the bored tip with the spinner in it that could twist its way to the bear’s vitals and kill it. The bear rose up on his hind legs. He let out a guttural growl. The entire forest trembled. Ajijaak released the arrow. It seemed to slice the air ever so slowly. It spanned the distance between he and the bear and struck one of the bear’s huge ribs. The point did not enter the bear. The bear broke off the arrowhead. Blood seeped from the wound, but it was not a fatal one. The spirit of the bear would not inhabit Ajijaak if he did not kill it. He wanted this bear’s fierce fighting spirit. This bear was magnificent. All at once Ajijaak was ashamed. A hunter did not kill to capture the spirit, a hunter killed to feed and clothe his family. The animal offered its life to sustain the lives of others. It was a sacrifice. This bear was not meant for him.

Uncle Ogaa thrust his spear.It pierced the bear’s heart. Ajijaak felt the spirit of the bear pass over him. It shook its broad shoulders and entered the land where there was no more pain or struggle. He turned to his uncle expecting to see some change in him. There was only a look of reverence and gratitude. His children would not go hungry thanks to the bear. His family would be kept warm in the harsh winter thanks to the bear’s heavy coat. In a quiet voice Uncle Ogaa said the words of honor to the bear, to thank him for giving his life to sustain others. From the bag tied around his waist he offered his best tobacco to the spirit of the bear. The others watched as he offered his respect.

When Uncle Ogaa finished, they tied the bear’s feet together with heavy twine and tied him to a pole so they could carry him to camp. The bear was heavy. His life’s blood seeped from him. The spirit of this bear had been great and now it rested on Uncle Ogaa because he had been worthy. Ajijaak was grateful he had not succeeded in his attempt. The bear was not meant for him. It was bad to take what was not his through vice.

After they tore down their camp, put the hot coals back in the pot, they carried the bear and placed him in Uncle Ogaa’s canoe. The canoe rested very low in the water. As Ajijaak took his place in Azheo’s canoe the light of the sun reflected of the black fur of the bear. It was a white and transforming light. It seemed made of life.